I was at a competition recently and they played a beautiful version of Sweet Child O' Mine for one of the slow foxtrot songs. I'd love to be able to get this track. Seemed like a piano with a bit of synth and a lady was singing the track. Any ideas? I've heard postmodern jukebox's version and its not that.

Just these categories Samba, rumba, chachacha, and jive

I bought this Chrisanne Clover shirt online and just realized the sleeves are several inches too long. Is it generally expected that these lycra shirts will need to be altered to fit? I expected the size to at least be close, but my hand is completely enveloped by the sleeve.

I’m honestly a little frustrated with TBA system at comps, because I seem to get getting leads who fail to communicate what they’re going to do, or are stretched so thin between multiple followers that I barely get to talk to them. I’d really like an official partner, but right now, it just doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me.

Still, I think dancing with a TBA partner is one of the main things holding me back from advancing in the rounds. If anyone’s ever been successful with a TBA partner, what did you do, and what do I need to be discussing with them to get the most out of it? I’ve honestly just considered doing basics the entire time to avoid communication issues.

Hello! I know it’s a shot in the dark, but I’m a follower looking for someone to compete or occasionally practice with.

I’m currently doing bronze smooth and rhythm, but I also dabble in Latin a little bit. If you’re at a different level, though, and feel comfortable doing bronze, that’s fine by me. I’m ok with either a male or female lead, but I mainly do collegiate competitions, so someone at least somewhat close to my age would be preferable. You don’t necessarily have to be from Virginia. If you’re from Tennessee, West Virginia, or NC and relatively close to the border, you’re not actually all that far away. If you are farther away, practicing occasionally might be out of the question, but I’d still be interested in discussing competing. Height isn’t important to me, but if it’s important to you, then you should be aware that I’m about 5’11” with my shoes on.

Hi everyone, im not a competition dancer so I hope this post isn't against the rules but I though you might have some good advice.

I have recently started begginers ballroom and latin classes and decided to invest in some shoes at my studio. My instructor did the fitting and I ended up with the supadance 1143 with a 3 inch stiletto. Upon further research advice seems to sway towards a shorter flared heels for begginers so I'm worried this might be too advanced for me?

For refence I wore 3 inch street heels to previos classes and my instructor is aware that I take ballet classes also. They don't seem uncomfortable however there was a definite difference in weight placement vs the lower heeled options im sure im just overthinking but as they are a pricey investment I wanted to be certain I won't struggle with them right off the bat.

Thanks in advance

https://reddit.com/link/1gb33ht/video/neycnn46lpwd1/player

Possible another sample related to this song: https://www.watzatsong.com/en/name-that-tune/851373.html

I've bought a pair of Ray Rose Latin shoes, sized "perfectly" by the lady in the shop, but the back of my heel gets a blister after 45 mins of dancing in them - I have to tape my heels with gauze or athletic tape to extend how long I can wear them. I've been dancing in them 5 hours a week for 4 months.

I also have a pair of Ray Rose Ballroom shoes, which again felt like the perfect fit, I thought they were super comfy, but these cause blisters on my right (bigger) heel after around 30 mins even with athletic tape and gauze, unless I retape them. Not small blisters either, it's a coin-sized open wound with no skin left if I dance through the pain, which I don't do anymore.

I've tried socks and thin stockingettes, and I just cannot wear these shoes in. What do I need to do? Buy leather shoes? They're both satin. Please help!

I've been to a few shops and tried on some leotards but the cut doesn't accommodate a supportive sports bra, which I definitely need underneath. What are the alternatives to leotards?

I also need a plain skirt for ballroom and one for Latin, but my only option was custom-made which seems crazy for something so basic.

Are there any styles/hacks/patterns for recreational dance wear that you can recommend? Or tips if I do go the custom route? Online shops that are reliable?

I don't even know where to start, all advice is recommended. I can sew and follow a pattern if anyone makes their own skirts with success... Just need some guidance as I feel so overwhelmed.

Thank you!

Hello!

I am a collegiate ballroom dancer, and I am doing a research assignment for homework. I am looking to get collegiate ballroom dancers from all over the country to complete a quick 5 minute survey. If you can help, I would greatly appreciate it!
https://forms.gle/hjm27PMDBncHeeJ29

Hi everyone, I started competing in standard this summer and quickly realized my smile (or lack thereof) leaves much to be desired! I dance out of pure joy for the sport, but my resulting “serious face” looks more like a scowl or simply very determined, at best. I know it takes time and isn’t as important as technique, etc., but how did you develop both sufficient smile and maintaining throughout the dance? I’m a follow if it makes a difference.

Many smiles I see out on the floor (teeth, lots of them) feel artificial, but either way, when I do a smaller/more natural smile, I forget about it while dancing and slip into a tense look.

I’ve been told “you enjoy this, so just relax and let that enjoyment show.” Maybe this is the way to approach it (?) but any tips to reaching that are much appreciated.

Hi, I know this is a wild shot in the dark but I'm a lead located near San Jose pretty desperately looking for a follow practice partner for American Smooth and American Rhythm.

I already have a main partner, but often my main partner is unavailable to practice, or I want to practice for longer than she has the physical endurance for. Therefore I'm looking for a second person to practice more with. You can be any level, but I'm silver so that's about where you can expect my skills to cap out.

In approximate order of my skill: waltz, rumba, chacha, bolero, foxtrot, tango, viennese waltz, east coast swing, mambo, west coast swing.

I am most interested in practicing on Friday and Saturday nights but I'm flexible on that. I'm looking for a long term thing, just once or twice a month would be great. I'm 5'6 if that matters.

So I had competition today and the final cha cha song was the radio edit of intoxicated and during the intro I didnt find the right beat. Is it me or is the counting really hard if you didnt hear it from the beginning? Any advice to improve here? Or oppinions in the songs beginning?

I’m a bronze level Latin lead, and I am at the point of needing a costume (I’ve been a follow up until now, so I wore a dress). I’d really like to wear the classic male Latin attire, with the straight black leg pants and a black top, but I’d like to not break the bank in the process. I’d love some recommendations on where to get the pants and top from!

Fiance and I tried west coast swing and it was a bit difficult for us but we didn't want to do basic waltz also. We plan to use a bit of upbeat fun music - is foxtrot or rumba easy to learn? Any suggestions? Ty :)

PLEASE!! I need help finding the title of a song that’s playing in a Facebook post. Any help would be much appreciated!! Thanks in advance! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/Jn4CdV5u6GiHmpq9/?mibextid=oKfgLb

Dvida Dance Vision event is in November. There is a beginning pro session. My husband has been dancing many years and dances Pro/Am with his students. He’s competed at the amateur level also. He is a registered pro. I have not been dancing long however my progress is exponential in comparison to how long I’ve been dancing. My mother in law suggested him and I do closed bronze syllabus pro at this event but obviously if I register pro I can never dance amateur. I’ve never competed before. My husband doesn’t give me much information and I’m kind of just confused. Are there enough events to dance beginning pro at or should I dance pro am with him for a few years until I’m ready to dance in open pro? I’m just not sure how all of this works and what I should do.

Hi all, looking for advice as I purchase a serious competition dress. I’ve been told Swarovski crystals make quite a difference versus others, but what about fabrics? One dressmaker I’ve spoken with offers “premium UK fabrics” and Premie, saying that the first is more suited to professionals and Premie to amateurs in terms of color and quality. I’m not a professional by any stretch of the imagination, but I do want quality. Does anyone have experience with these and how they differ concretely?

Thank you in advance!

https://preview.redd.it/neckw5p3j4pd1.jpg?width=2560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa827fd6b9c4ae2c78591e77e348135ee2101ba5

This 30 seconds survey is part of research on the effect feet health has on ballroom dancers performance.
https://survey.typeform.com/to/CYkPaCi4
In the first survey I’m hoping to learn more about the motivation of dancers in this group.
As a way to say thanks 🙏 once finished, I’ll publish insights from the research
Thank you so much for your time!

Are there any ballroom franchise teachers or owners who can answer questions anonymously here?

Hello! I am fairly new to ballroom dance but am ready to dive in full force and am looking for a partner to train, practice and advance with located in the New England area. I am 23 years old, female, follow, 5'2" without shoes, training in American Bronze.

I am currently training to be a ballroom instructor (well off because I am just beginning) and really think I am capable of going far in this industry. I am eager to learn and develop and would like to find someone with similar goals as me, to go far and really push our limits. I have enjoyed smooth a lot, although I think I am better in rhythm, and am open to both.

I understand that just starting this journey so late puts on a lot of limits and pressure but maybe it can pay off. Since I am in the instructor training process, I have been focusing a lot on leading (which is not my strong suit) and would love more practice in following as that is what I would like to do for a competitive career. If anyone is interested in practicing/training with me please don't hesitate to reach out!

I am living in Rhode Island, am willing to travel a reasonable distance for practice.

I've seen a lot of videos teaching u how to clean the bottom of the dance shoes, but not any with how to clean the inside where ur balls of feet touches the shoes when u wear the shoes, any tips on how to do this please?

Heya all, I’m going to be taking my very first Ballroom & Latin course in a few weeks and I was wondering if you have an shoe recommendations? We will be in a gym like a school gym where kids do PE, so it’s not a dance dance floor. Do you think a Sneaker will be ok?

We were told must have white soles and no shoes that have been worn outside.

Also for clothing, do I wear a sort of training skirt or just work out clothes?

Thanks - I am so excited and scared! I am 31 and this has been on my bucket list for years 💃 🪩🩷

Hi, I am a competitive dancer with an chronic ankle injury. I wear a rather big splint for training and therefore also for comps.

The ankle splint can be worn in practice shoes and in competiton ballroom heels. Latin shoes are a problem due to the heel height and the open design. They just don't fit right arround the splint and don't feel stable. So far I have just been wearing practice shoes to competitions, at least for latin. But that just looks awful as my practice shoes are black.

Does anyone know if there are practice shoes in nude (that are actually not super visible) or bronze satin? Or has any other tips on what I could try?

I have looked at all the big UK brands: IDS, BD, Freed, etc.

Any help is appreciated!

I have watched a lot of ballroom and I remember that women were supposed to keep their body arched and head back during the entire dance. Lately I've seen them bringing their head forward at times. Is this something recent or is it a DanceSport regulation change? I'm a relative newbie to DanceSport competitions!

Also, why aren't more of them televised? I can only find the YouTube channel.